ISHS Acta Horticulturae 274: International Symposium on Diagnosis of Nutritional Status of Deciduous Fruit Orchards
NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENT OF SWEET CHERRIES |
| Author: | J. Ystaas |
| Abstract:
In a long term experiment with ‘Van’ sweet cherries covering 15 years the application of 3 rates of K and Ca at 2 levels of N on a loamy sand high in organic matter (7%) was studied. Annual application of 116 kg N ha-1 significantly increased tree size and yield. No significant effect of K application was found as the release of nonexchangeable K in the soil was sufficient to meet the K demand of the trees receiving no K fertilizer. The application of 5000 kg ground limestone ha-1 significantly reduced fruit size. It is concluded that in order to keep the leaf major nutrients within the optimal range sweet cherries have a requirement of 110 kg N and 80 kg K ha-1 to produce a satisfactory crop. Application of 2500 kg limestone ha-1 every 5th year will be a safeguard against soil acidification and provide adequate supply of exchangeable Ca within a favourable pH regime of 5.5–6.5. | |
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